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Science lesson plan · 6th grade (Year 7 in England) · 30 minutes

Physical, chemical and biological weathering

Earth and rocks

CCSS NGSS.MS-ESS2-1CCSS NGSS.MS-ESS2-2England: KS3 Chemistry: Earth and atmosphere (the rock cycle)

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Physical, chemical and biological weathering.

  • I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
  • I can explain each step and say why it works.
  • I can check my answer and spot a mistake.

Before and after

Needs first: Weathering and erosion

Leads to: the next skill in this area.

Materials: Rock samples, Hand lenses, Mini whiteboards, A diagram or short video clip of the idea, Printed student sheet (below).

Warm-up · 4 min

  • Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Weathering and erosion). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Which type of weathering is this: rabbits burrowing into soft rock? (physical weathering / chemical weathering / biological weathering) → biological weatheringPrompt: Is it caused by temperature and ice, by a chemical reaction, or by living things?
  2. Which happens quickly rather than over a long time? (a canyon forming / a mountain wearing down / a landslide / a river valley widening) → a landslidePrompt: Some changes to Earth take seconds; others take millions of years.
  3. Which type of weathering is this: acid rain dissolving limestone? (physical weathering / chemical weathering / biological weathering) → chemical weatheringPrompt: Is it caused by temperature and ice, by a chemical reaction, or by living things?

Hook · 3 min

  • Pass round different rocks and ask how each one might have formed.
  • Share the objective: Physical, chemical and biological weathering. Read the success criteria together.

I do: model it · 7 min

  • Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
  • Example: Which type of weathering is this: water freezes in a crack, expands and splits the rock?
  • Step 1: Physical weathering breaks rock into pieces without changing its chemicals.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: physical (freeze–thaw, heating and cooling)
  • Answer: physical (freeze–thaw, heating and cooling)
  • Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 6 min

  • Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
  • Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
  1. Which type of weathering is this: desert rock heats by day and cools at night until its surface flakes off? (physical (freeze–thaw, heating and cooling) / chemical / biological) → physical (freeze–thaw, heating and cooling)Prompt: Is a living thing involved? Are new substances formed, or does the rock just break into pieces?
  2. Which agent carries the largest rocks and boulders long distances? (gentle wind / sunlight / glaciers (moving ice) / rain drops) → glaciers (moving ice)Prompt: Some boulders in fields came from far away.

You do: independent practice · 7 min

  • Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
  • Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 3 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. Which type of weathering is this: desert rock heats by day and cools at night until its surface flakes off? (physical (freeze–thaw, heating and cooling) / chemical / biological) → physical (freeze–thaw, heating and cooling)Prompt: Is a living thing involved? Are new substances formed, or does the rock just break into pieces?
  2. Which agent carries the largest rocks and boulders long distances? (glaciers (moving ice) / gentle wind / sunlight / rain drops) → glaciers (moving ice)Prompt: Some boulders in fields came from far away.

Watch out for

  • Everyday meanings of words getting in the way of the science meaning: define key words explicitly.
  • Remembering facts without the reason: ask "why?" and "what is the evidence?"

Support and stretch

Support

  • Review first: Weathering and erosion.
  • Use concrete materials: rock samples.
  • Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
  • Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.

Stretch

  • Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
  • Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.

Homework and more practice

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/science/grade-6.

Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder

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Physical, chemical and biological weathering

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    Which type of weathering is this: iron minerals in rock rust and crumble?

    • A. physical (freeze–thaw, heating and cooling)
    • B. chemical
    • C. biological

  2. Question 2

    Which agent carries the largest rocks and boulders long distances?

    • A. gentle wind
    • B. rain drops
    • C. sunlight
    • D. glaciers (moving ice)

  3. Question 3

    Weathering and erosion: which statement is NOT true?

    • A. Weathering helps turn rock into soil.
    • B. Rivers erode their banks and carry sediment.
    • C. Limestone caves form by chemical weathering.
    • D. Weathering only happens over a few days.

  4. Question 4

    Which type of weathering is this: tree roots grow into cracks and widen them?

    • A. physical (freeze–thaw, heating and cooling)
    • B. chemical
    • C. biological

  5. Question 5

    Old gravestones made of marble are often harder to read than those made of granite. Why?

    • A. Marble (calcium carbonate) is chemically weathered by acidic rain
    • B. Granite dissolves in rain
    • C. Granite is softer
    • D. Marble is attacked by tree roots

  6. Question 6

    In which climate is freeze–thaw weathering most common?

    • A. in a tropical rainforest
    • B. in a hot desert that never freezes
    • C. where temperatures often go above and below 0 °C
    • D. under the sea

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Answer key: Physical, chemical and biological weathering

  1. 1. B. chemical

  2. 2. D. glaciers (moving ice)

  3. 3. D. Weathering only happens over a few days.

  4. 4. C. biological

  5. 5. A. Marble (calcium carbonate) is chemically weathered by acidic rain

  6. 6. C. where temperatures often go above and below 0 °C